Republicans are gathering in Dallas on Wednesday for the party’s first-ever national convention devoted to a midterm election, with President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, senior administration officials and congressional candidates converging on the city for a two-day push to rally GOP voters ahead of the Nov. 3 elections.

The unprecedented gathering at the American Airlines Center comes less than two months before Election Day, as Republicans fight to retain control of both the House and Senate. More than 100 speakers are expected to participate in a program highlighting the economy, immigration, taxes, healthcare and other major elements of the Republican agenda.

The event differs significantly from the party’s traditional presidential conventions. There will be no nominee to select, platform to approve or other official party business to conduct. Instead, the two-day gathering is designed primarily as a campaign showcase intended to energize Republican voters and sharpen the party’s message for November.

Trump will dominate much of the convention, appearing on both days of the gathering. The President is scheduled to deliver a major address Wednesday and return Thursday for the convention’s finale, while Vance will also have a prominent speaking role during the event.

A number of high-ranking members of the Trump administration are also appearing before convention attendees.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is among the administration officials on the program, alongside other Cabinet members and senior figures in the administration.

The participation of Attorney General Todd Blanche is particularly notable because attorneys general, as the nation’s chief federal law enforcement officials, have traditionally maintained greater distance from overt campaign activity.

The convention lineup also features many of the Republican Party’s most recognizable elected officials and political leaders, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, Sen. Tim Scott, Sen. Ted Cruz, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, National Republican Congressional Committee Chairman Richard Hudson and Republican National Committee Chairman Joe Gruters.

Throughout the gathering, Republicans intend to highlight the Trump administration’s record while presenting voters with a contrast between the two parties on immigration, taxes, public safety and economic policy. Convention programming also includes discussions of healthcare, government spending and tax policy, along with broader presentations outlining the GOP’s vision for the country.

Democrats, meanwhile, are staging a competing political presence in Dallas during the Republican gathering. Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker is among the Democrats seeking to counter the GOP’s message, with Democrats emphasizing inflation, the cost of living and other issues as Republicans hold their convention.

The political stakes in Texas itself are also expected to receive considerable attention during the convention.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, the Republican nominee for the U.S. Senate, is scheduled to speak as he campaigns against Democratic state Rep. James Talarico for the seat being vacated by Sen. John Cornyn. Paxton secured Trump’s endorsement before defeating Cornyn in the Republican primary runoff.

The Paxton-Talarico contest has emerged as one of the closely watched Senate races of the 2026 campaign, particularly because Republicans are seeking to preserve their Senate majority. Texas has not elected a Democrat to the U.S. Senate since 1988, but this year’s contest has attracted unusual national attention.

Trump and other prominent Republicans have increasingly focused attention on Paxton’s campaign as Election Day draws nearer. Paxton also unveiled a new advertisement targeting Talarico that is set to run during the convention.

The program includes Republican candidates competing in closely contested House districts as well, including races in South Texas that could factor into the battle for control of the House.

With both chambers of Congress at stake, Republicans are using the Dallas gathering to make the case for keeping their congressional majorities during the remaining two years of Trump’s presidency. The convention gives the party a national stage to promote its candidates, highlight the administration’s record and attempt to consolidate Republican support heading into November.

The RNC has billed the gathering as a historic opportunity to celebrate the Trump administration’s accomplishments, showcase Republican candidates and bring the party together around its midterm message. The party’s official convention site describes it as the first Republican midterm convention of its kind.

Trump is set to be the central figure through the convention’s conclusion Thursday, capping a two-day event built largely around the President and the Republican Party’s effort to translate enthusiasm among its voters into success at the polls in November.